Effects of ektafos, ratak and agrosan on pregnancy and fetal development in white rats

ABSTRACT

The teratogenicand other effects on pregnancy of EKTAFOS, agrosan and Ratak were studied. Four groups, each composed of 20 pregnant female white rats between the 10[th] to 19[th] day of gestation were used for revealing the dysmorphogenic effects of these preparations. Ektafos at a dose of 1 .95 mg/kg, body weight daily per os caused 25.2% resorption and 22.1% mortality and the average weight of the foetuses was 1.2 +/- 0.02 gm and their average length 2.1 +/- 0.09 cm. Agrosan at a dose of 100 mg/ 50 mg barley seeds daily caused 21% resorption sites and 18.9% mortality. The averages weight of the foeti was 1.9 +/- 0.02 gm and their average length 2.3 +/- 0.08 cm. Ratak at a dose of 0.9 mg/kg. daily mixed with 50 gm barley seeds caused 31% resorption and 33% mortality. The average weight of the foetuses was 1.4 +/- 0.03 gm and their average length was 2.3 +/- 0.06 cm. These values are significant different from the 12.34% resorption, 11 .5% mortality. Foetal weight of 3 .1 +/- 0.86 gm and foetal length of 4 .0 +/- 0 09 cm for the control group. Visceral examination of the foeti revealed no significant abnormalities compared with those of the control rats. Skeletal examination of the foetuses affected by Ektafos showed "incomplete fusion of the creanium [17.58%]. The incidence of vertebral column changes which included absence of one or more of the coccygeal vertebrae with separation of the wings of the atlas vertebrae was 15%. A reduced number of sternebrae was noted in 15.38% of the foetuses. Absence of some metacarpal, metatarsal and phalanges in the limbs was obtained in 7.67% of the foetuses. Foetuses from Agrosan treated dams showed malformations in the skull, vertebral column, ribs, sternebrae and limbs, their incidence being 15.53, 19.4, 13.59 and 18.53% respectively. Ratak affected rats showed no signs of skeletal malformations